My week/ Europe, social care and student research – some of my week ahead

Europe, social care and student research – some of my week ahead

Posted by Paul Blomfield1446pc on March 13, 2017

Today I’ll be on the front bench in my role as a Shadow Brexit Minister, as we try to get the Government to see sense and grant certainty to the EU nationals in the UK who are worrying about their future after Brexit. I was delighted when Labour’s amendment to the EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill on the issue was passed by the House of Lords last week and we’ll be battling to keep it. EU nationals here – as doctors and nurses, colleagues at work, classmates at school – deserve certainty, and giving it is the best way to secure the status of UK nationals in other EU countries too. I will also be voting to keep Labour’s amendment to make sure Parliament has a meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal, also agreed to by the Lords. Read more here.

Before all that I’ll be in the Commons Chamber to support my Labour colleague Diana Johnson’s Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations): Ten Minute Rule Motion that would repeal archaic legislation that makes terminating a pregnancy without the permission of two doctors a sentenceable offence. Alongside this, I’ll be meeting Sheffield research students who have been selected to display posters of their work in Parliament as part of this year’s STEM for BRITAIN competition. I’ll also be keeping an eye on the debate in the House of Lords on international students, something on which I’ve been working with Peers.

On Wednesday I’ll be leading from the frontbench in a Westminster Hall debate on the implications of triggering Article 50 for Scottish devolution, and later I’ll be speaking to local students about the Youth Stop Aids campaign. On Thursday I’ll be meeting with the NUS and then Bite the Ballot, before heading back to Sheffield for a meeting of Manor Castle Labour members.

On Friday I’ll be talking to sixth formers at Birkdale School and hearing from Citizens Advice about the issues people in Sheffield are raising with them. On Saturday I’ll be watching the Blades take on Charlton and on Sunday I’ll be speaking at a fundraiser for children in Syria.